Math 1111/005- SPRING 2011
College Algebra
Instructor: Dr. Nicolae R. Pascu
Office: R2 329, Phone: (678) 915-4989
E-mail: npascu@spsu.edu
TEXTBOOK: Precalculus, by Paul Sisson; Hawkes Learning Systems, 2006.
MEETING TIMES/LOCATION: MTuThF 9:00-9:50 / 002 Q107
MTuThF 10:00-10:50 / 004 J201L
Goals: Upon completing this course students should be able to:
1. Produce solutions to various algebraic equations.
2. Demonstrate the use of elementary graphing techniques.
3. Use theorems of algebra to analyze the zeros of polynomials.
4. Describe exponential and logarithmic functions.
OFFICE HOURS: MTuTh 8:10 – 9:00, W 9-10:50, or by appointment.
PREREQUISITE: Placement by the by the Mathematics Assessment Test.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A functional approach to algebra which incorporates the use of appropriate
technology. Review of symbolic manipulation and solutions of equations and inequalities. Linear, quadratic,
polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions, graphs and applications. A grade of C or better is required for
course credit.
CLASS ATTENDANCE: I strongly suggest the attendance to class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to
find out what has been taught in that lesson and to learn this material. Active participation is necessary if you
wish to do well in this course.
HOMEWORK: For each section, there will be a minimum number of problems, which I strongly suggest to be
done by the next class meeting. A homework assignment shall be distributed every Friday, and it must be turned
in at the beginning of the next Monday’s class. Assignments that are turned in more than 24 hours late will not
be accepted. In addition, occasionally we might have a short quiz/project (10-15 minutes), which will be
announced in advance in class. Do not forget: the only way TO LEARN math is TO DO math.
COURSE POLICY: There will three in-class tests tentatively scheduled for September 5th, October 2th and
November 7th respectively. The final exam is cumulative, (the date/time will be announced later in class).
There will be NO MAKE-UP quizzes, exams. Should there be a special circumstance giving you a valid reason
for a makeup exam (such as a medical emergency), let me know in advance of this situation by sending me an
email (npascu@spsu.edu) BEFORE the exam takes place.
CALCULATOR: The TI-83 calculator is the only calculator that may be allowed for some exams. A calculator
policy will be given for each exam.
Evaluation: Input into semester grades will be as follows:
- 20% Exam 1
- 20% Exam 2
- 20% Exam 3
- 20% Final Exam
- 20% other activities: homework, quizzes, and projects.
The scale for converting your score to letter grades is the usual one (90% or more is an A, 80-89% is a B, 7079% is a C, 60 - 69% is a D, below 60% is a F).
EPECTATIONS: I expect you to read the textbook (solved examples, especially). The only way to get through
this course is to work constantly. This includes doing your homework exercises and going over the notes, and
textbook. The only way to know math is to practice. This is the only “secret”.
IMPORTANT DATES: Labor Day Holiday September 1st/ The last day to withdraw from class with a grade of
"W" is October 2nd/ Thanksgiving Holiday November 26th – 28th/ Last day of classes Monday, December 1st.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in
this class are encouraged to contact the counselor working with disabilities at (678) 915-7244 from the ATTIC
office (http://www.spsu.edu/ATTIC/) as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are
implemented in a timely fashion.
HONESTY: Be sure you read the relevant section and know and understand the potential penalties in the
University Academic Regulations in the current undergraduate catalog or on the campus web site
Copying work done by others, either in-class or out of class, is an act of scholastic dishonesty and will be
prosecuted to the full extent allowed by University policy (please see the University Honor Code
http://spsu.edu/honorcode/).
NOTE: The pace may vary, so the following is a weekly rather than daily outline.
MATH 1113 PRECALCULUS
TENTATIVE COURSE COVERAGE
WEEK
SECTIONS/TOPICS
Aug 13th -Aug 15th
1.1 Real numbers and algebraic expressions
1.2 Properties of exponents and radicals
Aug 18th -Aug 22nd
1.3 Polynomials and factoring
1.4 The complex number system
Aug 25th -Aug 29th
1.5 Linear equations in one variable
1.6 Linear inequalities in one variable
Sep 1st -Sep 5th
1.7 Quadratic equations
1.8 Rational and radical expressions
Review for Exam I
Exam 1
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
1.1 p. 14: 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13-17, 19, 20, 24, 3742, 43-55 odd, 63-89 odd.
1.2 p. 36: 1-11 odd, 12, 14, 17-25 odd, 26, 32,
33-39 odd, 52-54, 57, 58, 65-72, 76-90 even, 93111 odd.
1.3 p. 51: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11-29 odd, 30-40
even, 41, 42, 43-57 odd.
1.4 p. 61: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9-14, 15-35 odd, 38, 39,
42.
1.5 p. 69: 1-13 odd, 16-22 even, 25, 26, 28, 29,
32-37, 40-43, 45, 49, 51.
1.6 p. 79: 1, 2, 4-7, 9, 13, 14, 17, 18, 23-35 odd.
1.7 p. 93: 1, 2-8 even, 11-19 odd, 20, 23, 24, 2535 odd, 38, 41-47 odd, 48, 55, 60, 61, 69, 71, 72,
73, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 83.
1.8 p. 109: 2-4, 7, 10-12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24,
25-43 odd, 50, 57-71 odd, 75-77, 81, 83-86.
Labor Day Holiday
Monday, September 1st
Sep 8th -Sep 12th
Sep 15th -Sep 18th
Sep 22nd -Sep 25th
Sep 29th -Oct 3rd
Oct 6th -Oct 10th
2.1 The Cartesian coordinate system
2.2 Linear equations in two variable
2.3 Forms of linear equations
2.4 Parallel and perpendicular lines
2.5 Linear inequalities in two variables
2.6 Intro to circles
3.1 Relations and functions
3.2 Linear and quadratic functions
Review for Exam 2
Exam 2
3.3 Other common functions
2.1 p. 136: 1-47 odd
2.2 p. 144: 1-39 odd
2.3 p. 154: 1-49 odd
2.4 p. 161: 1-39 odd
2.5 p. 160: (optional) 1-43 odd
2.6 p. 176: 1-55 odd
3.1 p. 201: 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22,
23, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 40, 43, 44, 49, 50,
53, 54, 57, 58, 61, 62, 66, 67, 72, 73; C: 77, 78,
80, 81
3.2 p. 216: 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 23,
24, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 42, 46, 47, 48, 49,
50, 51; C: 63, 64, 66, 67, 68
3.3 p. 231: 2, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25,
Oct 13th -Oct 17th
Oct 20th - Oct 24th
Oct 27th -Oct 31st
Nov 3rd -Nov 7th
Nov 10th – Nov 14th
Nov 17th – Nov 21st
Nov 24th – Dec 1st
Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov 26th – Nov 28th
3.4 Variation and multi-var functions
3.5 Transformations of functions
27, 29, 32, 34; C: 38, 41
3.4 p. 238: (optional): 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14,
17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 33, 34, 37, 38, 41,
42, 45, 46
3.5 p. 256: 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20,
24, 25, 30, 31, 37, 38, 41, 42, 45, 46, 49, 50, 55,
56, 61, 62; C: 64, 69
3.6 Combining functions
3.7 Inverse functions
3.6 p. 269: 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 22,
23, 26, 27, 31, 34, 35, 38, 41, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54,
55, 56, 64, 67
3.7 p. 282: 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20,
21, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30, 33, 36, 41, 43, 46, 53, 54
C: 68, 69
4.1 p. 308: 1, 3, 6, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 27,
28, 31, 32, 35, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 46, 47, 50, 5359, 62, 63, 65, 66
4.2 p. 320: 1, 4, 7, 9, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 26, 29,
35, 39, 42, 43, 45, 48, 49, 50, 52, 54-56
4.3 p. 335: 1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 19, 21, 22, 25,
26, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 39, 41, 42, 45, 48, 58, 59,
63-65, 68, 69, 73-75
4.4 p. 348: 2-4, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 22, 25,
27, 28, 32-34
5.1 p. 384: 1-43 odd
4.1 Polynomial equations and graphs
4.2 Polynomial division, the division algorithm
4.3 Locating real zeros of polynomials
4.4 The Fundamental Theorem of algebra
5.1 Exponential functions and their graphs
Review for Exam 3
Exam 3
5.2 Applications of exponential functions
5.3 Logarithmic functions and their graphs
5.4 Properties and applications of logarithms
5.4 Properties and applications of logarithms
5.5 Exponential and logarithmic equations
Review for Final Examination
5.2 p. 396: C: 1-17 odd
5.3 p. 410: 1-43 odd, 44, 51-59, 61-83 odd
5.4 p. 425: 1-53 odd; C: 55-65 odd
5.5 p. 439: 1-55 odd; C: 74, 75